Xiyue Wang, a Chinese graduate student and American citizen attending Princeton was conducting research for his doctoral thesis in Iran when he was arrested and charged with espionage. Wang was loading documents on the 19th and 20th century eurasian history researching the Qajar dynasty. However, the authorities in Iran thought he was a CIA agent and spy for the United States and sentenced him ... Continue Reading>>

Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali has been threatened with the death penalty in Iran for ”collaborating with enemy states.” CCS has written to the Iranian government requesting that they review this case, and provide Djalali with a proper trial and an attorney of his choosing. ... Continue Reading>>

To date, the Turkish authorities have terminated the employment, requested resignations, failed to renew contracts or sent files to the Higher Educational Council of 91 Turkish academics. 513 face disciplinary action resulting in temporary suspensions, and legal process have been initiated against 418. The numbers are continually growing.
CCS has written to the Turkish authorities requesting ... Continue Reading>>

Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci, professor and head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Istanbul University was arrested on June 20 and charged with “terror propaganda” along with two other prominent writers, Erol Onderoglu and Ahmet Nesin.
The arrests seem to have been triggered in response to their participating as “on-duty editor-in-chief” of the newspaper Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish ... Continue Reading>>

Narges Mohammadi, a prominent activist, has spoken out against the use of the death penalty in Iran. She has also advocated for the rights of women. For these, she has now been sentenced to 16 years in Evin Prison in Iran.
CCS has written requesting her immediate release and that she be given adequate medical care for seriously deteriorating medical issues.
Embed from Getty ... Continue Reading>>

Dr. Jack Minker, CCS Vice Chair for Computer Science, has authored a letter to the editor in the May 2016 Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (CACM) explaining Dr. Masaud Jahromi’s legal situation. Minker also requested assistance for job and residential placement.
CCS has been advocating for Dr. Jahromi, former chair of the Telecommunications Engineering Department of ... Continue Reading>>

In light of the President’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, CCS requests his assistance in the release of two prisoners: Mohammed al-Qahtani and Raif Badawi.
Mohammed al-Qahtani, a Professor of Economics was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years in prison for speaking out for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia. He co-founded the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, calling for Saudi Arabia to implement ... Continue Reading>>

​Dr. Masaud Mirza Jahromi, who was wrongfully stripped of his Bahrainian citizenship on January 31, 2015, has been notified that he would be deported shortly. An Appeal of that decision is to be held on March 6th. Should the decision be upheld, Dr. Jahromi will be deported shortly — without his family. CCS has written requesting the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs to correct this error and ... Continue Reading>>

Professor Rafiee's appeal may be heard next week. His family is hopeful that there will be a positive verdict from the courts. It appears that the support he has received is having a positive response.
Related Letter
Scholars’ Open Letter to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
More than 350 scholars have signed a letter urging President Ruhani to release Dr. Rafiee.
January 27, ... Continue Reading>>

Turkish authorities rounded up scholars who signed a petition requesting the military to stop their behavior towards the Kurdish community in the south eastern part of the country. Universities also began dismissing the professors who had signed the petition. Those detained have now been released but they do face investigation and possible arrest. Many have already been dismissed from their ... Continue Reading>>